Cleft Smiles 5K scheduled for Feb. 27 at Rob Fleming Park

Jenn Griffin

Published 6:00 am, Thursday, February 11, 2016

Photo: Michael Minasi

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

Race director Leah Yeglin, right, and organizer Tamara Ayers, left, speak during the Cleft Smiles 5K Family Fun Run / Walk March 7, 2015 at Rob Fleming Park. About 650 participants raised $25,000 for Operation Smile, more than double the original goal of 10,000. Yeglin hopes to raise $35,000 at this year’s event, scheduled for Feb. 27 at Rob Fleming Park. less

Runners kick off from the starting line during the Cleft Smiles 5K Family Fun Run / Walk March 7, 2015, at Rob Fleming Park. The event is a fundraiser for Operation Smile, which works to help children affected by cleft lip and cleft palate. less

Runners kick off from the starting line during the Cleft Smiles 5K Family Fun Run / Walk March 7, 2015, at Rob Fleming Park. The event is a fundraiser for Operation Smile, which works to help children affected ... more

Photo: Michael Minasi

Cleft Smiles 5K scheduled for Feb. 27 at Rob Fleming Park

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

One in every 700 babies is born with cleft lip or cleft palate — a birth defect with no known cause. Those born with clefts are twice as likely to die before their first birthday.

Leah Yeglin’s son Jacob was born in April 2014 with a unilateral cleft lip. Yeglin said Jacob had trouble eating and issues with weight loss. At four months, Jacob had lip repair surgery. When he is between the ages of 7-10, he will need extensive orthodontia and additional surgery to repair his gum line

Because of the challenges her son and hundreds of others will face, Yeglin felt inspired to organize an event to raise awareness and funds for Operation Smile, which works to provide surgeries for those affected by cleft lip or cleft palate. The second annual Cleft Smiles 5K will be hosted Feb. 27 at Rob Fleming Park.

“My family and an amazing group of moms of cleft-affected children put in countless hours to make it all come together,” Yeglin said. “The work is so rewarding and makes me feel like my family is making the best of our situation.”

“Children who do not have access to medical care face enormous challenges. Knowing that Operation Smile can greatly improve the quality of life for these children, for as little as $240, is the reason for it all.”

Kenzie Schoelman, who has helped organize this year’s event, said after she and her husband had learned of their daughter’s condition—a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate—they’d researched cleft palates, selected a team for Macy’s treatment and signed up for the first CleftSmiles 5K, where they met several families with cleft-affected babies.

When Macy was born in May 2015, she had difficulty with feeding, which is common for cleft-affected babies. Macy spent six days in the NICU, where she and the Schoelmans learned from speech and occupational therapists how to use the specialty bottles.

Before Macy could have surgery, she had to wear a denture-like appliance called a Pre-surgical Nasal Alveolar Molding device for a period of time to pull Macy’s lips and palate as close together as possible.

“The PNAM treatment was most difficult because of the occasional adverse side-effects,” Schoelman said. “The device would create small sores along her gum line and the tape would sometimes tear her skin.”

Macy had the lip and nose repair surgery in August 2015. The palate repair surgery is scheduled for April 1. She will need to have tubes inserted in her ears to drain fluid in her middle ears that has caused hearing loss, inflammation and discomfort. Additional surgeries will be completed as needed throughout her adolescence.

“We all appreciate the camaraderie, support, and love from the community,” Schoelman said. “I hope the participants have fun and are proud that their participation helps heals smiles throughout the world with Operation Smile.”

“Additionally, I hope the cleft community flourishes with even more support.”

Now Playing:

“Seeing groups of cleft-affected children play together is heart-warming.” Yeglin said. “I hope that the event continues for many years, so these children will grow up knowing others with whom they have so much in common.”

The Cleft Smiles 5K is from 8 a.m. at Rob Fleming Park, 6055 Creekside Forest Drive. The cost is $35 for ages 13 and up and $20 for ages 12 and under. Individuals living too far away to attend the event in person may participate virtually. For more information, visit cleftsmiles5k.com.